by Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports

by Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports

Because they're talking about a few things, it's time for the NFL and the NFL players union to toughen up the alcohol policy.

First DUI offense? Gone. Suspended.

Two games right off the bat.

The weak policy that exists now -- under which a player can be fined two game checks, up to $50,000, for a first offense - needs to be scrapped.

As it stands now, it takes a second offense to draw a four-game suspension.

Some victims might not get a second chance.

Maybe a tougher policy doesn't prevent the type of tragedy that occurred in Dallas in December, when Cowboys practice squad player Jerry Brown lost his life as the passenger in teammate Josh Brent's alcohol-influenced wreck.

Maybe it does, because it's a deterrent.

The alcohol policy is one more item the league and union must settle before implementing human growth hormone (HGH) testing as part of a comprehensive policy for substance abuse and performance-enhancing drugs.

The NFL has been pushing for a stronger policy, but that has taken a backseat to HGH testing. The union should want it, too.

A tougher policy would promote the spirit of addressing a large societal issue that resonates as a constant threat in NFL circles.

It's easy to imagine a sticking point. Should a player draw a suspension before a DUI arrest becomes a conviction? Bogus arrests do happen.

A quick suspension certainly would address the image issue. Under the current policy a player could appear in a game -- as then-Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner did last season -- days after being arrested on alcohol charges.

Then again, more education and better use of support resources such the safe-rides programs offered by the union and teams also could make a difference.

The NFL and its teams can quickly discipline team or league executives or staff members who embarrass themselves and their organizations with alcohol-related incidents.

We saw that recently with the Denver Broncos, who suspended director of personnel Matt Russell indefinitely and pro personnel director Tom Heckert for a month after separate alcohol-related arrests this summer.

It was swift and decisive punishment, with input from the league office.

Whether the league can act in such a matter with players is something else to talk about ... Let's hope it doesn't take too long to fix.

Boom Bostic

After parting ways with Brian Urlacher, the Bears signed 10th-year veteran D.J. Williams as the experienced projected replacement.

It seemed like a solid plan.

But with Williams shelved by a severe calf injury for much of the summer, Plan B is emerging as a promising option.

He's had some help. Williams, though injured, has been a resource and Bostic has made himself a sponge to absorb any insight from Lance Briggs, the seven-time Pro Bowler entering his 11th season.

"I'm learning from Lance right now, and how he does it," Bostic said. "He's a very complete linebacker. He can pretty much do it all. Everything he does, I'm kind of like, 'How do you do that?' I want to pick his brains as much as I can."

Bears coach Marc Trestman calls it a "sponsorship" program; he's encouraged the veterans to engage in the teaching as part of their team responsibilities.

Veteran cornerback Charles Tillman has noticed, sensing that Briggs has taken it upon himself to fill the void left with Urlacher's departure.

"Lance Briggs has been put in a situation where he's stepped up his leadership and coaching game," Tillman said. "It's unique. He's trying to get the younger guys better by telling them and showing them how it's done."

Bostic played running back and safety in high school before converting to linebacker in college. He feels his background at safety has been particularly helpful to his development in coverage at linebacker -- which is more essential in the Cover 2 schemes the Bears have continued to keep, sans Lovie Smith, than in other schemes.

That's striking on another level. Urlacher was an ex-safety when he arrived in Chicago.

Just don't expect Bostic to compare himself.

"Brian meant a lot to this team," Bostic said. "I know that just from hearing what Lance says about him. I'm just a rookie. I've got to learn the defense a lot better before I can even think about hitting the field."

Having Briggs to help coach him up already looks to be paying dividends.

Other thoughts and observations coming out of preseason, Week 2 ...

- The Ravens will miss the wits and leadership provided by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but the defense will be faster. Something that popped out about the rookie replacements, second-round linebacker Arthur Brown and first-round safety Matt Elam, during Thursday night's exhibition against the Falcons: They are fast closers. Elam, who has yet to start in preseason, wasn't fast enough when caught out position to help on a TD pass to Julio Jones. But generally he demonstrated a nose for the football. Brown is a thumper who delivered one of the biggest hits of the night when he nailed Jacquizz Rogers for a loss on a run-blitz.

- Tyrann Mathieu is clearly in the right spot at safety. When the Cardinals selected the Honey Badger in the third round, they immediately declared that the former LSU cornerback would line up at safety. Such a projection was right on, with Mathieu playing well enough that he's already in the conversation as the steal of the draft. Mathieu had a game-high seven tackles against the Cowboys, but beyond the stats was so fluid with his movements and quick to break on the football. Keeping Mathieu aligned in the middle of the field is the ticket. With keen instincts, he a much better player when he can aggressively attack the football in front of him, rather than trailing on outside corner coverage where his size works against him.

- What a difference a week makes. Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone was so fired up when I saw him following the preseason opener at Indianapolis, after he watched rookie quarterback EJ Manuel's progress in running the offense through a confidence-building first half. The kid demonstrated resiliency and composure, two essential building blocks for a young quarterback. Kevin Kolb, who missed a week of camp after suffering a freak knee injury and leaving due to a death in the family, seemed like an after-thought. Marrone sounded like a man set to prepare a rookie to open the season. Now, with Manuel's left knee injury and Sunday arthroscopic surgery, Kolb could open the season against the Patriots as the starter by default. No question, it's a setback. Kolb was shaky on Friday night. Manuel completed 78.7% of his passes in two preseason games (26 of 33, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 112.0 rating), avoiding major blunders. The Bills have said Manuel will be re-evaluated in two weeks, with his status from that point pending further recovery. But even with a fast healing, catching up on the reps is another matter.

- Looks can be a bit deceiving. Granted, the Saints defense under new coordinator Rob Ryan will bring a lot more heat this year. He's a Ryan. Like his dad, Buddy, and brother Rex, he brings blitzes. And for a defense that ranked 32nd for yards allowed and 25th with 30 sacks in 2012, blitzes might help -- if they don't leave the back end too exposed. New Orleans collected seven sacks on Friday night, including five of Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn. While the sack exchange fuels hope in New Orleans, it must also be weighed against the reality of Oakland's glaring offensive line problems -- which got worse last week when the line's best player, left tackle Jared Veldheer, was lost for an extended period of time with a torn triceps.

- Defenses will get their conditioning tested against the Eagles. The clock added an intriguing element while watching the Eagles run their no-huddle offense during 11-on-11 team drills on Saturday. Rarely did it take the offense more than 20 seconds to snap the football, and in many cases the snap came within 10 seconds. This was the case with Michael Vick at quarterback, or with Nick Foles or rookie Matt Barkley. They were fast. That's the expectation with Chip Kelly's offense. When the real games matter, the result should be more plays and more opportunities -- while opposing defenses will be pressed to try subbing and getting a break. Last season, the Eagles ranked sixth in the NFL with 1,079 offensive snaps while the NFL average was 991.1. The Patriots led the league with 1,191 snaps, which equates to 74.43 per game. In New England's case, it also meant super-efficiency. The Patriots scored an NFL-best 34.8 points per game, but were just 11th in time of possession (30:41). It's only preseason now. When they cut to 53 players, pick a quarterback and start game-planning, will it get faster? "We may have to slow it down some," Kelly told me. "It's a matter of doing what's best for the situation." Regardless, it will be interesting to watch.